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And there let him / or them (if they be two pastors or moe in one charge) not only alone meddle with the charge of preaching / and other such parts of the pastor / but also let him or them in that consistory / and in all other conferences and councils▪ let the ministers go before / as I might say / and guide the other of the assistants ⟨p. 32⟩and elders / in the government / as it is in the council at Jerusalem. But before I speak1 more of the government / let us a little consider of this order of the election of the ministers / and these exercises and conferences for the continuance of sound religion / and of the equality of ministers / whether the bishops course be better / or this be the best. First / this is well warranted2 by the scriptures / and theirs is not. Theirs hath already been the cause of many mischiefs / §10and this the cause of much good in the primitive church / and is so still where it is practised in the reformed churches beyond the seas. This alloweth only painful and true preachers / theirs ignorant Asses / loitering and idle bellied Epicures / or profane and heathenish Orators / that think all the grace of preaching lieth in affected eloquence / in fond fables to make their3 hearers laugh / or in ostentation of learning of their Latin / their Greek / their Hebrew tongue / §20and of their great reading of antiquities: when God knoweth / most of them have little further matter then is in the infinite volumes of common 4places / and Apothegms / culled to their hands.
And there let hym / or them (if they be two pastoures or moe in one charge) not only alone meddle wyth the charge of preachyng / and other suche partes of the pastor / but also let hym or them in that consistorie / and in all other conferences and councels let the ministers go before / as I might say / and guide the other of the assistantes
more of the gouernement / let vs a little consider of thys order of the election of the ministers / and these exercises and conferences for the continuaunce of sounde religion / and of the equalitie of ministers / whether the bishops course be better / or thys be the best. First / this is well warranted
by the scriptures / and theirs is not. Theirs hath already bene the cause of many mischeefes /
§10
and thys the cause of muche good in the primitiue churche / and is so still where it is practised in the reformed churches beyond the seas. This alloweth only painful and true preachers / theirs ignorant Asses / loytering and idell bellyed Epicures / or prophane and heathenishe Oratoures / that thincke all the grace of preaching lyeth in affected eloquence / in fonde fables to make their
2A comparison between the former description of the ministry / and the bishops order.A comparison betweene the former description of the ministerie / and the bishops order.
But if they carry away the praise of the people for their learning / though the people have learned little or nothing at their hands (for they can not learn much / where little is spoken to purpose) or for some merry tales they have told / or §301such like pageants to please itching ears withal / such a fellow must have the benefices / the prebends / the Archdeaconries / and such like loiterers preferments / especially if he can make low courtesy to my Lords / and know his manners to every degree of them / or can creep into some noble mans favour to bear the name of his chaplain / this is he y• shall bear the preferments away from all other / and to flaunt it ⟨p. 33⟩out in his long large gown / and his tippet / and2 his little fine square cap / with his Tawny coats after him / fisking over the city to show him self / none can have that he may have / except some certain fat fellows / with long bags3 at their girdles / and some in their sleeves / or with a dish of M. Latimer's apples. Corruption / too much corruption in these matters. This order avoideth intrusion into any benefices / but to be §10chosen by the consent of that parish where they shall be ministers / and there to tarry. Theirs / so the patron present / and the bishop institute / thrusteth upon parishes such / as what so ever they are / they cannot be refused / and may resign or otherwise depart as they list. Theirs appointeth not only moe hoy ministers / & dumb dogs not able to bark / then they wot where to bestow / but also many roving preachers / to preach in whose cure they list / out of all order. §20This / appointeth every pastor to his charge / and by a very good order / none to meddle out of his own charge. By this / all without exception / are drawn & driven to exercise them selves among them selves / for the increase of knowledge / and for the confirmation of them in the undoubted truth. Theirs appointeth at their lordships pleasure / and their Archdeacons / their men either to say a part of one of the Epistles without book / or to turn it out of Latin into §30English / or to write their fantasies of some Theme given them / wherein there is much good stuff if it were well known / or to learn M.
But if they carye away the praise of the people for their learning / thoughe the people haue learned little or nothing at their handes (for they can not learne muche / where little is spoken to purpose) or for some mery tales they haue tolde / or §301such like pageāts to please itching eares wythall / suche a fellowe muste haue the benefices / the prebendes / the Archdeaconries / and suche lyke loyterers preferments / especially if he can make lowe curtesie to my Lordes / and know his manners to euery degree of them / or can creepe into some noble mannes fauoure to beare the name of hys chapleine / this is he y• shall beare the preferments awaye from all other / and to flaunte it ⟨p. 33⟩out in hys long large gowne / and hys tippet / and2 hys little fine square cappe / with hys Tawnie coates after hym / fisking ouer the citie to shewe him selfe / none can haue that he may haue / except some certaine fatte fellowes / with long bagges3 at their girdels / and some in their sleeues / or wt a dyshe of M. Latuners apples. Corruption / too muche corruption in these matters. Thys order auoydeth intrusion into any benefices / but to be §10chosen by the consent of that parishe where they shall be minysters / and there to tary. Theirs / so the patrone present / and the bishoppe institute / thrusteth vppon parishes suche / as what so euer they are / they cannot be refused / and may resigne or otherwyse departe as they liste. Theirs appoynteth not onely moe hoy ministers / & dumbe dogges not able to barke / then they wot where to bestowe / but also many rouing preachers / to preache in whose cure they list / out of all order. §20Thys / appoynteth euery pastor to hys charge / and by a very good order / none to meddle out of hys owne charge. By thys / all wythout exception / are drawne & driuen to exercise them selues among them selues / for the encrease of knowledge / and for the cōfirmation of them in the vndoubted truth. Theirs appoynteth at their lordshippes pleasure / and their Archdeacons / their men eyther to say a parte of one of the Epystles wythout booke / or to turne it out of Latine into §30Englyshe / or to wryte their fantasyes of some Theme geuen them / wherein there is muche good stuffe if it were well knowne / or to learne M.
Nowels Catechism by rote / rather then by reason / or if they have some exercises of prophesying any where / it is so raw / and without order / except perhaps an order not to speak against any of their proceedings / that as good never a whit / as never the better. This showeth a ⟨p. 34⟩ready and a right way / to resolve all doubts and questions in religion / and to pacify all controversies of the churches / to pass from one or few to moe / & from moe / to moe godly and learned / to be decided by them / according to the truth and word of God. Theirs raiseth many doubts and questions in religion / breedeth many troubles and contentions / and will have nothing examined that they do / but many must able for the §10pleasure of some one of them / and all must abide the determination of one / such Lordship they claim over the faith of their christian brethren.1 The Apostle renouncing it / and acknowledging himself to be a helper. If they say Lordship of bishops is agreeable to the word of God / who may say against them / without much trouble? yea / dare say against them? yea / what prevaileth it to say against them / if they hold together? to whom it is to sweet to say say against it / or if my Lords grace / Metropolitan of all England §20hold / & stick fast in the matter? for so it goeth / many must to one / & so from one to one / till it come to the Pope of Lambeth / as it was wont in the Po•ishe church / clean contrary to the course of the scriptures / for there is no more ones / but only one one / to whom all the church must obey / and from him / the whole church hath authority over the members of the same / for so goeth the scriptures / you have but one master / all you are §302brethren / hear him / and tell the church / this is the scripture. Now / except they will follow the Popes rule / and bring the universal church to be but a particular place / and a particular man in that place / as Rome is the place / and the pope is y• man / or as Canterbury or Lambeth might be the place / and my Lord his grace the man / the scriptures and their doings will not agree. And his Lordship shall be a Pope / and his confederates ⟨p. 35⟩the Popes underlings / except they leave their Lordliness / and submit them selves to the church of God / to be ordered by the same / according to the word.
Nowels Catechisme by roate / rather then by reason / or if they haue some exercises of prophesying any where / it is so rawe / and wythoute order / except perhaps an order not to speake against any of their proceedings / that as good neuer a whit / as neuer the better. Thys sheweth a ⟨p. 34⟩ready and a right way / to resolue all doubts and questions in religion / and to pacifie all controuersies of the churches / to passe from one or few to moe / & from moe / to moe godly and learned / to be decided by them / according to the truthe and worde of God. Theirs raiseth many douts and questions in religion / breedeth many troubles and contentions / and wyl haue nothyng examined that they doe / but many must ab•e for ye §10pleasure of some one of them / and all must abide the determination of one / suche Lordshyp they claime ouer the faithe of their christian brethren.1 The Apostle renouncing it / and acknowledging hymselfe to be a helper. If they say Lordshyppe of bishops is agreeable to the word of God / who may say agaynst them / wythout much trouble? yea / dare say against them? yea / what preuayleth it to say against them / if they hold together? to whom it is to swete to say say agaynst it / or if my Lords grace / Metropolitane of al England §20holde / & sticke fast in the matter? for so it goeth / many must to one / & so frō one to one / til it come to the Pope of Lambeth / as it was wont in the Po•ishe church / cleane contrary to the course of the scriptures / for there is no more ones / but only one one / to whome all the churche must obey / and from him / the whole church hath authoritie ouer the membres of the same / for so goeth the scriptures / you haue but one maister / all you are §302brethren / heare him / and tell the church / thys is the scripture. Now / except they will followe the Popes rule / and bryng the vniuersal churche to be but a particulare place / and a particulare man in that place / as Rome is the place / and the pope is y• man / or as Caunterbury or Lambeth might be the place / and my Lorde hys grace the man / the scriptures and their doings will not agree. And hys Lordship shallbe a Pope / and his confederates ⟨p. 35⟩the Popes vnderlings / excepte they leaue their Lordlynesse / and submit them selues to the church of God / to be ordered by the same / according to the woorde.
And take them for better / who shall / they are none other / but a remnant of Antichrists brood / and God amend them / and forgive them / for else they bid battle to Christ and his church / and it must bid the defiance to them / all they yield. And I protest before §10the eternal God I take them so / and thereafter will I use my self in my vocation / and many moe to no doubt which be careful of God his glory / and the churches liberty / will use themselves against them / as the professed enemies of the church of Christ / if they proceed in this course / and thus persecute as they do. What talk they of their being beyond y• seas in Queen Mary's days because of the persecution / when they in Queen Elizabeth's days / are come §20home to raise a persecution. They boast they follow1 the steps of good master Ridley the martyr: let them follow him in the good / and not in the bad. What man / Martyr or other / is to be followed in all things? why follow they not M. Hooper as well as him / who is a martyr also? or Rogers / or Bradford / who are martyrs also? They say all those good men in Queen Mars2 days died for the book of common prayer / but they slander them / for they toke not so slender a §30quarrel / they dyed for god his book / and for a true faith grounded upon the same. Divers of those martyrs / would not in those days of king Edward / abide all the orders in that book / but if they had had such a time beyond the seas in the reformed churches / to have profited and increased in knowledge of a right reformation as these men had / it is not to be doubted / but that they would have done better then he promised / y• had ⟨image 23⟩rather all England were on a fishpoole / then he would be brought to matters f•r less / then now of his own accord he wilfully thrusteth him self upon. Why we they not follow the examples which they saw beyond y• seas? In which of the reformed churches saw they a Lord bishop allowed? or the Canon law to direct church orders? or will they translate the book of common prayer into Latin / and their pontifical / and use §10the Latin of the popish portuise / manual / and3 pontifical in those matters wherein they have followed those books / and but translated them out of Latin / and will they require & abide y• judgements of the reformed churches concerning the matters?
And take them for better / who shall / they are none other / but a remnaunt of Antichristes broode / and God amende them / and forgeue them / for else they bid battell to Christ and his church / and it must bid the defiance to them / all they yeelde. And I protest before §10the eternall God I take them so / and thereafter wil I vse my self in my vocation / and many moe to no doubt which be careful of God his glory / and the churches libertie / wyll vse themselues agaynst them / as the professed ennemies of the churche of Christ / if they proceede in thys course / and thus persecute as they doe. What talke they of their being beyond y• seas in Quene Maries dayes because of the persecution / when they in Queene Elizabethes dayes / are come §20home to rayse a persecution. They bost they followe1 the steps of good maister Ridley the martir: let them followe hym in the good / and not in the badde. What man / Martyr or other / is to be followed in all things? why follow they not M. Hooper as well as him / who is a martir also? or Rogers / or Bradforde / who are martirs also? They say all those good men in Quene Marres2 dayes died for the booke of common prayer / but they slaunder them / for they toke not so slender a §30quarel / they dyed for god his boke / and for a true faith grounded vpon the same. Diuers of those martires / would not in those dayes of king Edwarde / abide all the orders in that booke / but if they had had such a time beyonde the seas in the reformed churches / to haue profited and encreased in knowledge of a right reformation as these men had / it is not to be doubted / but that they would haue done better then he promised / y• had ⟨image 23⟩rather all England were on a fishpoole / then he would be brought to matters f•r lesse / then now of hys owne accorde he wilfully thrusteth hym selfe vpon. Why we they not followe the examples which they sawe beyonde y• seas? In which of the reformed churches saw they a Lord bishop allowed? or the Canon lawe to direct church orders? or will they translate the boke of common prayer into Latine / and their pontilicall / and vse §10the Latine of the popishe portuise / manual / and
1Persec• raised.
2The m• tyrs in Mary o• days / they suffered?The m• tyrs in Mary o• dayes / they sufred?
3Turning y••oke o• con •ion prayer • the pon•ficall / unto •ortuis la•ive / to try y• judgment •s •f y• reformed churches con•rmng thē required.Turning y••oke o• cō •ion prayer • the pon•ficall / unto •ortuis la•iue / to try y•••dgemē •s •f y• refor•ed chur•hes con•rmng thē •equired.
If they be not singular / if they mean plainly / let them do thus. If it will abide the trial / then let them use it still. They shall not be disgraced / but we for disquieting of them. They have f•cendes that will say for them / they are a learned company and ne•oe not the help of any §20other churches. Then let them offer to defend their course by learning. Let them never go over sea for the matter (and yet surely I would some toke that translation in hand / & toke some pains in the matter / to procure the judgements of those reformed churches) but let them offer free conference here at home. Nay / let them take our offer for conference (by writing to avoid much brabble if they will) and show themselves ready to the state / without cunning practise to §30stop it by their friends / and let us join in it freely / and then we will think better of them / and yield our selves to have been deceived in them / if they deal plainly. O Lord that we were deceived •n them. That they were not wickedly bent / to maintain that which they are entered into / to the great disquieting of this Church of Christ in England / until the Master come / ⟨image 23⟩(which they think will defer his coming) and disquiet them / whom he findeth like lordly Epicures / eating & drinking with y• worldly drunkards / and beating their fellow servants. They that are poor men / already beggared by them / and which have many ways b•ne molested and imprisoned / some in the Marshalsea / some in the white Lion / some in the Catchouse1 at Westminster / others in the counter / or in the Clink / or in the Fleet / or in Bridewell / or in §10Newgate / they which have these many ways and times been hampered & ill handled by them / they still offer themselves to all their exercinities / and therefore put for the their treatises / because they pass not how dear they bought it / so they might redeem our state out of this deformed reformation / to a right platform drawn out of the scriptures. They say / such are men pleasers. Surely / if they sough•e advantage that way / it were best for them to please my Lords.
If they be not singulare / if they meane plainely / lette them doe thus. If it will abyde the triall / then let them vse it still. They shal not be disgraced / but we for disquieting of thē. They haue f•cendes that will saye for them / they are a learned company and ne•oe not the helpe of any §20other churches. Then let them offer to defende their course by learning. Let them neuer goe ouer sea for the matter (and yet surely I woulde some toke that translation in hande / & toke some paynes in the matter / to procure the iudgements of those reformed churches) but lette them offer free conferēce heere at home. Nay / let them take our offer for conference (by wryting to auoyde muche brabble if they will) and shew themselues ready to the state / wythoute cunning practise to §30stoppe it by their freendes / and let vs ioyne in it freely / and then we will thincke better of them / and yeelde oure selues to haue beene deceiued in them / if they deale plainly. O Lord that we wer deceiued •n them. That they were not wickedly bent / to maintaine that which they are entred into / to the great disquieting of thys Churche of Christe in Englande / vntill the Maister come / ⟨image 23⟩(which they thinke will deferre hys commyng) and disquiet them / whome he fynedeth like lordly Epicures / eating & drynking wyth y• worldly drunkardes / and beatyng their fellow seruaūts. They that are poore men / already beggered by them / and which haue many wayes b•ne molested and imprysoned / some in the Marshalsey / some in the white Lion / some in the Catchouse1 at Westmi•ster / others in the counter / or in the Clynke / or in the Ficete / or in Bridewell / or in §10Newgate / they whych haue these many wayes and times bene hampered & ill handled by them / they stil offer themselues to al their exercinities / and therefore put for the their treatises / because they passe not howe deare they bought it / so they myght redeme our state out of this defor•ed reformation / to a ryght platforme drawne oute of the scriptures. They say / such are men pleasers. Surely / if they sough•e aduauntage that way / it were best for them to please my Lords.
1There is no persecu• tion n•we • they say / • report m• to these examples.There is no persecu• tion n•we • they say / • reporte m• to these examples.
They say they are desirous to be said to be in prison / &1 that they profit by it / they would not then keep themselves out of the way / nor when they are in / be such suitors to come torch / nor abide to be stifled and choked with the stench of the prison / but that is an old shift and cunning of he adversary to say so. No, no / God his cause is the matter. You pretend a reformation / and follow not the word of God / nor will be led by that. The §30sum of all therefore is this / that either you of the Parliament must •ake order to have all reformed according to the word of God / whereof already you have heard a part / and sh•ll hear briefly the rest by God his grace / or else they to bring your reformation to the trial of the word of God / and to overthrow by the same all that we say / and all that the other of the ••st reformed churches do use. Well they may confer and ⟨image 24⟩yield / for never shall they overthrow the truth which we utter / and which the reformed churches do practise / nor shall they be able to maintain their own doings / but by cruelty / & wl, at success that hath ever had / judge by y• scriptures and by the papists experience. For this order of choosing of ministers for their conferences and equality therefore / you shall prove none to be so good as this / which I have mentioned / nor disprove §10/ but that this ought to be in a reformed church. Shall I examine their other orders? y• were infinite / but yet for the book of common prayer / which of all other must not be touched / 2because they have gotten the state so to bear it out / Even for the very states sake / for the princes sake / for the churches sake / and for conscience sake / he hath but a bad conscience that in this time will hold his peace / and not speak it for fear of trouble / knowing y• there are such intolerable abuses in it / as it is plain there are. First I say / that if it were praying / & that there were never an ill word / nor sentence in all the prayers yet to appoint it to be used / or so to use it as Papists did their matins and evensong / 3for a set service to God / though the words be good / the use is naught. The words of the first chapter after S.
They say they are desirous to be sayd to be in pryson / &1 that they profite by it / they would not then kepe themselues out of the way / nor whē they are in / be suche suters to come toor•he / nor abide to be stifeled and choked with the stench of the prison / but that is an old shift and cunning of he aduersary to say so. No, no / God hys cause is the mater. You pretend a reformation / and followe not the worde of God / nor will be led by that. The §30summe of all therfore is thys / that eyther you of the Parliament muste •ake order to haue all reformed according to the worde of God / whereof already you haue heard a parte / and sh•ll heare breefely the rest by God his grace / or else they to bryng your reformation to the trial of the word of God / and to ouerthrowe by the same all that we say / and al that the other of the ••st reformed churches doe vse. Well they may conferre and ⟨image 24⟩yeelde / for neuer shall they ouerthrow the truthe which we vtter / and which the reformed churches doe practise / nor shall they be able to maintaine their owne doings / but by crueltie / & wl, at successe that hath euer had / iudge by y• scriptures and by the papistes experience. For this order of chusing of ministers for their conferences and equalitie therefore / you shall proue none to be so good as thys / which I haue mentioned / nor disproue §10/ but that thys oughte to be in a reformed churche. Shall I examine their other orders? y• were infinite / but yet for the booke of common prayer / which of all other muste not be touched / 2because they haue gotten the state so to beare it out / Euen for the very states sake / for the princes sake / for the churches sake / and for conscience sake / he hath but a badde conscience that in thys time will holde hys peace / and not speake it for feare of trouble / knowing y• there are suche intollerable abuses in it / as it is plaine there are. First I say / that if it were praying / & that there were neuer an ill woorde / nor sentence in all the prayers yet to appoynt it to be vsed / or so to vse it as Papistes did their mattens and euensong /
John / be good / but to be put in a tablet of gold / for a sovereign thing to be worn / that use is superstitious and naught / §30and so is the use of this service / for the order must be kept / and that being done / they have served God. And if they allege that that use was not meant / and that it is an abuse. I say and can prove it / that if it be an abuse / it is so settled it will not be reformed / till there be a reformation of prayer. Again / wherelearned they to multiply up many prayers of one effect / so many times Glory be to the Father / so many times the Lord ⟨image 24⟩be with you / so many times let us pray. Whence1 learned they all those needless repetitions? is it not the popish Gloria patri? their Dominus vobiscum? their Oremus? Lord have mercy upon us / Christ have mercy upon us / is it not kyrie eleeson / Christ eleeson? their many Pater nosters / why use they them? But as though they were at their beads. The words be good / so were they when they were in Latin / but the use is naught / forbidden by our saviour: you when you pray use not vain repetitions as the2 heathen do / saith he. And then the Collect for the day to be used at end of matins / what shall I call it? and afore the epistle and gospel as they call it. The book is such a piece of work as it3 is strange we will use it / besides I cannot account it praying as they use it commonly / but only reading or saying of prayers / even as a child that learneth to read / if his lesson be a prayer / he readeth a prayer / he doth not pray / even so is it commonly a saying / and reading prayers and not praying / the child putteth of his cap as well as the minister. For though they have many guises / now to kneel / and now to stand / these b• of course / and not of any prick of conscience / •• purring of the heart most commonly. One he kneeleth on his knees / and this way he looketh / and that way he looketh / another he kneeleth him self a sleep / another kneeleth with such devotion that he is so far in talk / that he forgetteth to arise till his knee ache / or his talk endeth / or service is done. And why is all this? but y• there is no such praying as should touch the heart.
Iohn / be good / but to be putte in a tablet of golde / for a soueraigne thyng to be worne / that vse is superstitious and naughte / §30and so is the vse of thys seruice / for the order must be kept / and that being done / they haue serued God. And if they alledge that that vse was not meant / and that it is an abuse. I say and cā proue it / that if it be an abuse / it is so setled it wil not be refor•ed / till there be a reformatiō of praier. Agayne / wherelearned they to multiplye vp many prayers of one effect / so many times Glorye be to the Father / so manye times the Lorde ⟨image 24⟩be wyth you / so many times let vs pray. Whēce1 learned they all those needelesse repetitions? is it not the popishe Gloria patri? their Dominus vobiscum? their Oremus? Lorde haue mercye vpon vs / Christe haue mercy vpon vs / is it not kyrie eleeson / Christe eleeson? their many Pater nosters / why vse they them? But as though they were at their beades. The words be good / so were they when they were in Latine / but the vse is naught / forbidden by oure sauioure: you when you pray vse not vaine repetitions as the2 heathen doe / saythe he. And then the Collect for the day to be vsed at ende of mat•ens / what shall I call it? and afore the epistle and gospel as they call it. The boke is suche a peece of worke as it3 is straunge we will vse it / besydes I cannot accompt it praying as they vse it commonly / but only reading or saying of prayers / euē as a childe that learneth to reade / if hys lesson be a prayer / he readeth a prayer / he dothe not pray / euen so is it commonly a saying / and reading prayers and not praying / the childe putteth of hys cap as wel as the minister. For thoughe they haue manye guises / nowe to knele / and nowe to stande / these b• of course / and not of any pricke of conscience / •• pureing of the heart most commonly. One he kneeleth on hys knees / and thys way he loketh / and that way he loketh / another he kneeleth him selfe a sleepe / another kneeleth wyth suche deuotion that he is so farre in talk / that he forgetteth to arise till hys knee ake / or hys talke endeth / or seruice is done. And why is all thys? but y• there is no suche praying as should touche the hearte.
1Gloria patri. Dominus vobiscum. Oremus. Kyriele•sō. Many pater nosters.Gloria patri. Dominus vobiscum. Oremus. Kyriele•sō. Many pater nosters.
3Reading prayers no praying. In praying many guises taken up • used rather of custom / then of reason & knowledge or conscience▪Reading prayers no praying. In praying many guises takē vp • vsed rather of custome / then of reason & knowledge or cōsciēce▪
And therefore another hath so little feeling of the common prayer / that he bringeth a book of his own / and though he sit when they sit / stand when they stand / kneel when they kneel / he may pause sometime also / but mos•e of all he in•endetly ⟨p. 40⟩his own book / is this praying? God grant us to feel our lacks better then this / and to take a better order then this for prayer / it is & will be all naught else. Again / the Psalms be all red in form o• prayer / they be not all prayers / the people seldom mark them / and sometime when they mark them / they think some of them strange gear / and all for that they are1 bu• only red / and scarce red oftentimes. It is a very simple shift that you use to shift it with an Homily / to expound dark places of scripture / for they be darkly expounded that be expounded / and many places more dark then you rehearse •ny which are not once touched. Simple and homely gear in divers homilies there is. There is none other help I came tell you / but plain preaching which is God his plain order.
And therfore another hath so little feeling of the common prayer / that he bryngeth a booke of hys owne / and though he sitte when they sitte / stand when they stande / kneele when they kneele / he may pause sometime also / but mos•e of all he in•endetly ⟨p. 40⟩hys owne booke / is thys praying? God graunt vs to feele oure lackes better then thys / and to take a better order then thys for prayer / it is & will be all naught else. Againe / the Psalmes be all red in forme o• prayer / they be not all prayers / the people seldome marke them / and sometime when they marke them / they thinke some of them straunge geare / and all for that they are1 bu• only red / and scarse red oftentimes. It is a very simple shift that you vse to shift it wyth an Homilie / to expounde darke places of scripture / for they be darkly expounded that be expounded / and many places more darke then you rehearse •ny whiche are not once touched. Simple and homely geare in diuers homelies there is. There is none other helpe I came tell you / but playne pre•ching whych is God hys plaine order.
What reason to sing the chapters of scriptures / 1and yet so they may in a plain tune. Are all the §20prayers that are ••ed / agreeable to y• scriptures? to let pass the Benedi•tus / where I would2 know how I might say in my prayer: for thou child shalt be called the Prophet of the highest / and the Magnificat / where I woul•e know3 how any man / yea / or woman either might say the tenure of these very words: for he hath regarded the low degree of his handmaid / for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed? mark this well / and you can never §30answer it well / but that it is a palpable folly / and vain praying. To let these pass / I would know in what canonical scripture they find this prayer: O all ye works of the Lord? and what they mean when they say O Ananias / Azarias4 / and Misael praise the Lord? which part of prayer is not according to the scripture / if all the rest be / but the whole thanks giving is Apocryphal / and yet those men that are named / ⟨p. 41⟩were then alive / & said it themselves / if it were truly their prayer / and it belongeth not to us to speak to them now / that are dead / and why to them more then to the virgin Mary / Peter or Paul. &c? Let him that speaketh / speak as the5 word of God / sayeth the Apostle. with what truth can we say / that one Collect which is appointed to be said from the Nativity to New Year's6 day? which is / that upon the nativity day I must say / that Christ vouchsafed this day to be borne / & when I read it another day / I must say he vouchsafed this day to be borne / and the next day again this day. Surely I lie / one of the days / and such a prayer is at whitsuntide appointed. I would know where upon they ground their Collect appointed for the service of s. Bartholomew (for we have Saints / and Angels / 7and all Hallows service which the first treatises speak of) I would I say know whereon they ground that Collect? wherein they pray y• they may follow Bartholomews sermons / seeing there is never a sermon of his extant / and so we shall follow we w•t not what? or y• they pray y• the church may preach as he did. when as they neither have his sermones / nor yet the whole church may preach / but the ministers of y• church only. Is this praying? God forgive us / it is a wicked prattling. By what scripture have they Lent service: A sowedensday service?
What reason to sing the chapters of scriptures / 1and yet so they may in a plaine tune. Are all the §20praiers that are ••ed / agreeable to y• scriptures? to let passe the Benedi•tus / where I woulde2 knowehowe I might say in my prayer: for thou childe shalt be called the Prophet of the highest / and the Magnificat / where I woul•e knowe3 howe any man / yea / or woman eyther might say the tenure of these very wordes: for he hathe regarded the low degree of hys handmayde / for beholde from henceforthe all gencrations shall call me blessed? marke this well / and you can neuer §30answere it well / but that it is a palpable follye / and vaine praying. To let these passe / I woulde knowe in what canonicall scripture they fynde thys prayer: O all ye workes of the Lorde? and what they meane when they say O Anamas / Azarias4 / and Misael prayse the Lord? which part of prayer is not according to the scripture / if all the rest be / but the whole thankes geuing is Apochriphall / and yet those men that are named / ⟨p. 41⟩were then aliue / & sayde it themselues / if it were truely their prayer / and it belongeth not to vs to speake to them nowe / that are deade / and why to them more then to the virgin Marie / Peter or Paule. &c? Let hym that speaketh / speake as the5 woorde of God / sayeth the Apostle. wyth what truthe can we say / that one Collect which is appoynted to be saide from the Natiuitie to Newyeares6 day? which is / that vpō the natiuitie day I must say / that Christe vouchsafed this day to be borne / & when I read it another day / I must say he vouchsafed thys day to be borne / and the next day againe this day. Surely I lie / one of ye dayes / and suche a prayer is at whitsontide appoynted. I would know wher vpon they groūd their Collect appointed for the seruice of s. Bartholomew (for we haue Sametes / and Angels /
three Collects1 for that day? There is also *a Commination grounded upon great reason / if that be well marked / which the priest (forsooth) must say at the entrance into the matter / that is / what a piece of Discipline was in former times kept about the holy time of Lent / which until it be restored / would be supplied with this Jewish *order. But what place of scripture doth induce them to reduce this ceremony? or what place of ⟨p. 42⟩scripture would warrant such a piece of discipline / as there they seem very desirous to have restored? as who should say such devises of observances for *days and times were profitable or sufferable in Christs church. Let them endeavour to commend god his discipline / which should be all the days and times of our life exercised in Christs church. Let them require that. I would know what there is in Athanasius §10Creed / that that must be upon high5 days (as they term them) rather then the Apostles Creed: I would know why Venite may not serve at Easter as it must all the year afore / and after follow Domine labia? it is surely a strange thing to see the fancies that this book is full of. I overpass the dry Communion (as they call it) the Epistle / the Gospel / the Offertory / and because they have in the former treatises touched many things of the sacraments / of matrimony §20/ of confirmation / & of y• rest / I y• more willingly skip over many things else / saying shortly y• the sacraments are wickedly mangled & profaned. But as for Confirmation / as it hath no ground out of the scriptures at all / so I would6 have their prayer marked / how they reckon up y• sevenfold grace as the papists did? neither more nor less / where they have one grace more / then the. 11. of Isaiah hath / which they allude to. And again / they have far fewer then are mentioned §30in the rest of the scriptures. Lord / to se• these very follies / may not this book be altered neither in matter nor manner? Surely / then have7 you a mannerly sort of ministers that strain courtesy to forbear to lie / and to forbear superstition / when they seem to present themselves before the Lord / which can worse like such service then you can to forbear it.
thre Collects1 for that day? There is also *a Commination grounded vppon great reason / if that be well marked / which the priest (forsothe) must say at the entraunce into the matter / that is / what a peece of Discipline was in former times kept about the holy time of Lent / which vntill it be restored / would be supplied wyth this Iewishe *order. But what place of scripture dothe induce them to reduce thys ceremonie? or what place of ⟨p. 42⟩scripture woulde warrante suche a peece of discipline / as there they seeme verye desirous to haue restored? as who shoulde saye suche deuises of obscruances for *dayes and tymes were profitable or sutterable in Christes churche. Let them endeuoure to commend god hys discipline / whych should be all the dayes and tymes of oure lyfe exercised in Christes churche. Let them require that. I would knowe what there is in Athanasius §10Creede / that that must be vpon hyghe5 dayes (as they terme them) rather then the Apostles Creede: I woulde knowe why Venite may not serue at Easter as it must all the yeare afore / and after folow Domine labia? it is surely a straunge thyng to see the fansies that this boke is full of. I ouerpasse the dry Communion (as they call it) the Epistle / the Gospel / the Offertorie / and because they haue in the former treatises touched many things of ye sacramēts / of matrimonie §20/ of confirmation / & of y• rest / I y• more willingly skippe ouer manye things else / saying shortly y• the sacraments are wickedly māgled & prophaned. But as for Confirmation / as it hath no ground out of the scriptures at all / so I wold6 haue their prayer marked / how they recken vp y• seuenfold grace as the papistes did? neither more nor lesse / where they haue one grace more / then the. 11. of Esay hath / which they allude to. And again / they haue farre fewer then are mentioned
1Service for Lent / • shwedensday. &Seruice for Lent / • shwedensday. &
I have thus much further ⟨p. 43⟩examined the orders that these men use in prayer / beside the general observation / that they allow prayer in public place without a sermon / which is rightly prohibited in Churches reformed. Would the word of God thus negligently / thus fantastically / profanely / and heathenishly be preached? or the sacraments be so wickedly / with out examination at the supper / or sincerity at baptism / be so (I say) wickedly ministered? would prayers be made either that were so foolish / or so §10superstitious / or so false / or y• best of them so undevoutlye / if there were such right orders as were in the churches planted by the Apostles / as is in the best reformed churches / and ought to be in ours? What though these men be / and will be taken so learned / so right / that they need learn of none other / are not these their orders? do they not maintain them? do they not persecute them that speak against them? and yet I pray you are they not stark naught? yea / and so are divers §20of them / not only for their bribing and corruption / and their arrogance / their tyranny / but for flat heresy in the sacrament / and some be suspected of the heresy of Pelagius. For the first / y•1is concerning the sacrament / the bishops are notoriously known which err in it / and for Free will not only they are suspected / but others also. And in deed the book of the Articles of christian religion speaketh very dangerously of falling §30from grace / which is to be reformed / because it too much inclineth to their error. Other things there are maintained by some of them which are not agreeable with the Scripture: namely the false interpretation of this clause in our Creed (he descended into hell) which is expressly2 set down contrary to the scriptures in the Creed made in meter in these words: His spirit did after this descend into the lower parts / ⟨p. 44⟩to them that long in darkness were / the true light of their hearts. If they can warrant this out of the scriptures / then Limbus patrum / & within a while purgatory will be found out there.
I haue thus much further ⟨p. 43⟩•xamined the orders that these men vse in prayer / beside the generall obseruation / that they allowe prayer in publique place without a sermō / which is rightlye prohibited in Churches reformed. Would the word of God thus negligently / thus santastically / prophanely / and heathemshly be preached? or the sacraments be so wickedly / with out examination at ye supper / or sinceritie at baptisme / be so (I say) wickedly ministred? woulde prayers be made eyther that were so folyshe / or so §10superstitious / or so false / or y• best of them so vndeuoutlye / if there were suche righte orders as were in the churches planted by the Apostles / as is in the best reformed churches / and ought to be in oures? What though these men be / and wil be taken so learned / so right / that they neede learne of none other / are not these their orders? doe they not maintaine them? doe they not persecute them that speake agaynste them? and yet I praye you are they not starke naught? yea / and so are diuers §20of them / not onely for their bribing and corruption / and their arrogancie / their tyrannie / but for flat heresie in the sacrament / and some bee suspected of the heresy of Pelagius. For the first / y•1is concerning the sacrament / the bishops are notoriously knowne which erre in it / and for Free will not onely they are suspected / but others also. And in deede the booke of the Articles of christian religion speaketh very daungerously of falling §30from grace / which is to be reformed / bicause it too muche enclineth to their erroure. Other thyngs there are maintained by some of them whych are not agreeable wyth the Scrypture: namely the false interpretation of thys clause in our Creede (he descended into hell) whych is expresly2 set downe contrary to the scriptures in the Creede made in meter in these wordes: Hys spirite dyd after thys descend into the lower parts / ⟨p. 44⟩to them that lōg in darknesse were / the true light of their heartes. If they can warrant thys oute of the scriptures / then Limbus patrum / & within a while purgatorie will be founde oute there.
1Bishops themselves / some of them in heresies / and some suspected. The book of Articles of christian religion.Byshops thēselues / some of thē in heresies / and some suspected. The boke of Articles of christian religion.
And yet this must be privileged / and such like divers matters disagreeing with the scriptures / 1as in the humble suit of a sinner it is said / that the Saints and Angels see Christs bloody wounds as yet / and in their last great Bible in §10the first edition of it / such a sight of blasphemous pictures of God the father / as what they deserve for it / I will refer them to none other judge then their own note upon the. 15. verse of the fourth of Deuteronomy / we hold I wot not what heresies that speak against their pride & traditions / but they that expressly speak and we against the scriptures / hold nothing I trow but […]. But let these guides weigh the scripture / which saith / you strain a gnat / and §20swallow down a Camel. Well now / seeing we2 have thus far weighed / partly God his orders for the ministers election / for their exercises / and for their equality / that it is better then our L. Bishops / for the continuing of sound religion / and that the order of bishops is contrary to the scriptures / and that they make and maintain with cruelty against the scriptures many wicked orders / let us now come to the other part / which is of the government of the church / to see how §30that standeth by the scriptures. I have already made mention of a Consistory / which were to be3 had in every congregation.
And yet thys must be priuiledged / and suche like diuers matters disagreeing with the scriptures / 1as in the humble sute of a synner it is sayde / that the Saintes and Angelles see Christes bloudye woundes as yet / and in their last great Bible in §10the first edition of it / such a sight of blasphemous pictures of God the father / as what they deserue for it / I will referre them to none other iudge then their owne note vppon the. 15. verse of the fourth of Deuteronomie / we holde I wotte not what heresies that speake agaynst their pride & traditions / but they that expresly speake and we againste the scriptures / holde nothyng I trowe but 〈…〉. But lette these guides weyghe the scripture / which saythe / you strame a gnatte / and §20swallowe downe a Camell. Wel now / seeing we2 haue thus farre weyghed / partly God his orders for the ministers election / for their exercises / and for their equalitie / that it is better then oure L. Bishops / for the continuing of sounde religion / and that the order of bishops is contrarye to the scriptures / and that they make and maintaine wt crueltie agaynst the scriptures many wicked orders / let vs nowe come to the other parte / which is of the gouernment of the churche / to see howe §30that standeth by the scriptures. I haue alreadye made mention of a Consistorie / which were to be3 had in euery congregation.
1The humbl• suit of a sinner. The last great Bible.The humbl• sute of a synner. The last great Bible.
That consisteth first of the ministers of the same congregation / as the guides and mouth of the rest / to direct them by y• scriptures / and to speak at their appointment / that which shall be consented upon amongst them all / because of their gifts / & place amongst them / which maketh them more fit for those purposes / ⟨p. 45⟩The assistants are they / whom the parish shall1 consent upon and choose / for their good judgement in religion and godliness / which they know they be of / whereby they are mete for that office / using the advise of their ministers therein chiefly / and having an eye to a prescript form drawn out of the scriptures / at the appointment of the Prince and state / by the godly learned men of this2 realm / because of y• rawness of this people yet / §10and also using earnest prayers / with fasting / as in the choice of the minister / & having made their choice thereafter / they shall publish their agreement in their parish / and after a sermon by their minister / at their appointment / and upon their consent the minister may lay his hands upon every of them / to testify to them their admission. This consistory is for that only congregation / 3and must do that which they we / wyntly in any common cause of the church. And these are to §20employ themselves / and to be employed by that congregation / upon the necessary and urgent affairs of the same church. These are they in y• church / to whom our saviour commandeth them that have twice / or oftener admonished an offender / and he heareth them not / to utter such an offender: when he saith / tell the church. These are they / whose last admonition he of that church / or they which regard not / shall be taken as a publican4 or heathen. These are they / that shall admonish all such in that congregation / as they §30know to live with offence to the church / or as be presented to them / by good testimony of their offence committed. These be they / which shall excommunicate the stubborn / making the whole church privy to their doings / and shall upon repentance / take order for the receiving such an one in again / making open profession of his or their repentance / to the satisfying of y• congregation.
That consisteth first of the ministers of the same cōgregation / as the guides and mouth of the rest / to direct them by y• scriptures / and to speake at their appoyntment / that whych shall be consented vpon amōgst them all / bicause of their giftes / & place amongst them / whych maketh them more fit for those purposes / ⟨p. 45⟩The assistants are they / whome the parish shall1 consent vpon and chuse / for their good iudgemēt in religiō and godlinesse / which they know they be of / wherby they are mete for that office / vsing the aduise of their ministers therin cheefely / and hauing an eye to a prescript forme drawne out of the scriptures / at the appointment of the Prince and state / by the godly learned menne of thys2 realme / b•cause of y• rawnesse of this people yet / §10and also vsing earnest prayers / wyth fasting / as in the choise of the minister / & hauing made their choise thereafter / they shall publishe their agreement in their parishe / and after a sermon by their minister / at their appoyntment / and vppon their consent the minister may lay hys handes vppon euery of them / to testify to them their admission. This consistorie is for that onely congregation / 3and must doe that which they we / wyntly in any common cause of the churche. And these are to §20employe themselues / and to be employed by that congregation / vpon the necessary and vrgent affaires of the same churche. These are they in y• church / to whome our sauiour cōmaundeth them that haue twise / or oftner admonished an offender / and he heareth them not / to vtter such an offender: when he sayth / tell the church. These are they / whose last admonition he of that church / or they which regarde not / shall be taken as a publicane4 or heathen. These are they / that shall admonishe all suche in that congregation / as they §30knowe to liue with offence to the church / or as be presented to them / by good testimonie of their offence committed. These be they / which shall excommunicate the stubburne / making the whole church priuie to their doings / and shall vpon repentāce / take order for the receiuing such an one in againe / making open profession of hys or their repentance / to the satisfying of y congregation.
1Who the assistants must be.Who the assistantes must be.
2Howe the assistants must be chosen.Howe the assistantes must be chosen.
3wherefore this consistory serveth.wherefore thys consistorie serueth.
Yet ever so must they excommunicate / & receive the excommunicate in again / that they require the assent of their whole congregation / showing1 the grievousness of his fact / and how they have proceeded with him by admonition / and his contempt / which they shall do / both because their upright dealing may appear to y• whole church / and because they may not usurp authority over the whole church / whereby we might caste §10out the tyranny of the bishops / & bring in a new tyranny of theirs: who are appointed by good order / to have the examination of matters / & the rest of the dealing / in the name of the whole congregation. Nevertheless / what they do well / the congregation cannot alter / neither shall the congregation put them / or any of them out / but upon just cause proved / either in that consistory / or in some one of the counsels / and the cause accepted for sufficient. Neither may they / or any of them §20leave to deal in that turn / except they can show good cause to that consistory / and it to be approved by them / with the consent of the whole congregation / and good liking. For neither must they lightly be brought into suspicion / nor they must not lightly cast of so weighty a calling / and2 function of such importance / no more then the ministers may. They also shall examine all disordered ceremonies used in place of prayer / and abolish those which they find evil / or unprofitable §30/ and bring in such orders / as their congregation shall have need of / so they be few / and apparent / necessary both for edifying / and profit & decent order: proving it plainly to the whole3 church that it is so. And in like sort shall they suffer no lewd customs to remain in their parish / either in ga•es / or otherwise / but having conferred of such things amongst themselves / they shall admonish him or them brotherly / that ⟨p. 47⟩he or they / use them not any more / as unseeming to Christian men to use the like / or if they be common / they shall give open admonition / and it shall be left. In all these things / & in all things of the church / they shall not meddle with the civill magistrates office / nor with any other punishment4 but admonition / and excommunication of the obstinate.
Yet euer so must they excommunicate / & receiue the excommunicate in againe / that they require the assent of their whole congregation / shewing1 the greuousnesse of hys fact / and howe they haue proceeded wyth him by admonition / and hys contempt / whych they shall doe / bothe bicause their vpright dealing may appeare to y• whole church / and bicause they may not vsurpe authoritie ouer the whole churche / whereby we might caste §10out the tirannie of the bishops / & bryng in a new tyrannie of theirs: who are appointed by good order / to haue the examination of matters / & the rest of the dealing / in the name of the whole congregation. Neuerthelesse / what they do wel / the congregation cannot alter / neither shall the congregation put them / or any of them out / but vpō iust cause proued / either in that consistorie / or in some one of the counsels / and the cause accepted for sufficient. Neither may they / or any of them §20leaue to deale in that turne / except they can shew good cause to that consistorie / and it to be approued by them / wyth the consent of the whole congregation / and good liking. For neyther muste they lightly be broughte into suspition / nor they must not lightly cast of so waighty a calling / and2 function of suche importance / no more then the ministers may. They also shall examine all disordered ceremonies vsed in place of prayer / and abolishe those which they finde euill / or vnprofitable §30/ and bring in suche orders / as their congregation shall haue neede of / so they befew / and apparant / necessary both for edifying / and profite & decent order: prouing it plainely to the whole3 church that it is so. And in like sorte shall they suffer no lewd customes to remaine in their parishe / either in ga•es / or otherwise / but hauing conferred of suche things amongste themselues / they shall admonish him or them brotherly / that ⟨p. 47⟩he or they / vse them not any more / as vnseming to Christian men to vse the lyke / or if they be common / they shall geue open admonition / and it shall be left. In all these things / & in all things of the church / they shall not meddle wyth the ciuill magistrates office / nor wyth any other punishment
Yet this they must do / that he which hath lived with offence to that congregation §10/ although he hath suffered the punishment of the law for his offence against it / yet he shall by them be admonished / to satisfy the congregation to whom he hath given offence / & amongst whom he dwelleth. As for example: he that hath usury1 proved against him / so that he lose his principal for taking above ten in the hundred / yet shall he also for committing so heinous offence against God / and his church / to the very ill example of others / not be allowed to the Sacraments / until §20he show himself repentant for the fault / and study thereby to satisfy the congregation so offended by him. These shall receive the informations2 of the deacons / for the relief of the pore / & their accounts for that which they shall lay out that way / and of their diligence in visiting them / that the congregations may by the Consistory be certified of all things concerning the poor / §30both y• there may be made provision accordingly / and that the provision made / may be well husbanded / and the pore may by the deacons be visited / comforted / and relieved according to their lack. Lastly / one or moe of these assistants / with one of the ministers / & a deacon or deacons shall3 be those / y• shall at their churches charges meet at the provincial council / or national / if there be any business that concerneth their church. Especially / one of the ministers shall not fail / and one of this assistance / to be parties in any general ⟨p. 48⟩cause of all the churches that may be dealt in there / whether it be concerning doctrine / or manners. Now a word or two of excommunication / and deacons / because I have made mention of them / and then I will show upon what scriptures these orders are grossed / and a little compare them with those which we use / and some certain matters incident to these / & then I will draw to an end by God his grace. Excommunication §10may not be used / but after sundry brotherly4 and sharp admonitions too & great occasions / offences / and contempts showed / as the scripture is pla•e.
Yet this they must doe / that he which hath lyued wt offence to that congregation §10/ although he hath suffred the punishment of the law for hys offence against it / yet he shall by them be admonished / to satisfie the congregation to whom he hath geuen offence / & amongs whō he dwelleth. As for example: he that hath vsurie1 proued agaynst him / so that he lose hys principal for taking aboue ten in the hundred / yet shall he also for committing so hamous offence agaynste God / and hys churche / to the very ill example of others / not be allowed to the Sacraments / vntill §20he shewe hymselfe repentaunt for the faulte / and study thereby to satisfie the congregation so offended by him. These shal receiue the informations2 of the deacons / for the releefe of the pore / & their accomptes for that which they shal lay out that way / and of their diligēce in visiting them / that the congregations maye by the Consistorie be certefyed of all thyngs concerning the poore / §30bothe y• there may be made prouision accordingly / and that the prouision made / may be wel husbanded / and the pore may by the deacons be visited / comforted / and releeued accordyng to their lack. Lastly / one or moe of these assistants / with one of the ministers / & a deacon or deacons shall3 be those / y• shall at their churches charges meete at the prouincial councell / or nationall / if there be any businesse that concerneth their churche. Especially / one of the ministers shall not faile / and one of this assistance / to be parties in any generall ⟨p. 48⟩cause of all the churches that may be dealte in there / whether it be concerning doctryne / or manners. Now a word or two of excommunication / and deacons / because I haue made mētion of them / and then I will shew vpon what scriptures these orders are gros••ed / and a little compare them wyth those which we vse / and some certaine matters incident to these / & then I will draw to an ende by God hys grace. Excommunicat•on §10may not be vsed / but after sondrye brotherly
1Usury.Vsurie.
2Information and accoumpts of the deacons.
3Who shu• repair to the counsels for y• churches affairs.Who shu• repaire to the coūsels for y• churches affaires.
And in these cases they are by the persons / and order afore / not shut out of the church door as we use / but o•t of the church1 of God / and communion and fellowship of the saints / they are delivered to satan / and to be esteemed / and to be no more taken for Christian men / till they repent / then Heathens or Turks §20are / save that / as they may be allowed / yea and procured if it may be to come to hear sermons / so also they may be conferred with by the brethren / to bring them to repentance. But they shall not be allowed to the sacrament / the pledge of Christ his league with his church / until by repentance they may be admitted as afore is said / into the fellowship of the church again. Neither shall any brother / or sister / use his or their company / but to admonish them / and exhort them to repentance §30/ or as he or she may the heathens company / for their necessary affairs in the world / as they may have dealing together / or as a wife / which2 may not depart from her husband if he will abide with her / and yet she may be admitted to the fellowship of the congregation / if she contemn not the doing of the church / but do her uttermost to call her husband home. In like case / if it were y• wife that were excommunicated / he should be admitted / ⟨p. 49⟩and not she. Shortly to say: Excommunication3 is a fearful thing / as it is prescribed by the scriptures / and used by the Churches of Christ reformed accordingly. No punishment to it in this world / but only hell eternally / for he that is in it / either he hath his conscience seared which a hot iron / I mean it is brawned / and he hath no feeling / or else he cannot be without a hell •n his conscience: for he is out of the fellowship of the Saints / he cannot claim to be of Christ his body / nor that his promises and mercy belong to him / if he seek not to be received by repentance into the congregation of Christ again / nor he may not have that comfortable pledge of Christ his supper in fruition with the church / till his repentance be accepted by that church.
And in these cases they are by the persons / and order asore / not shut oute of the church dore as we vse / but o•t of the churche1 of God / and communion and felowshippe of the saintes / they are deliuered to sathan / and to be esteemed / and to be no more taken for Christian men / till they repent / then Heathens or Turkes §20are / saue that / as they may be allowed / yea and procured if it may be to come to heare sermons / so also they may be conferred wt by the brethren / to bryng them to repentance. But they shall not be allowed to the sacrament / the pledge of Christ hys league with hys church / vntill by repentāce they may be admitted as afore is sayde / into the fellowship of the church againe. Neyther shall any brother / or sister / vse hys or their companie / but to admonishe them / and exhort them to repē tance §30/ or as he or she may the heathēs company / for their necessary affaires in the world / as they may haue dealing together / or as a wife / whych2 may not depart from her husband if he wil abide with her / and yet shee may be admitted to the felowship of the congregation / if she contemne not the doing of the churche / but do her vttermoste to call her husband home. In like case / if it were y• wife that were excommunicated / he shuld be admitted / ⟨p. 49⟩and not shee. Shortly to say: Excommunication3 is a fearfull thing / as it is prescribed by the scriptures / and vsed by the Churches of Christ reformed accordingly. No punishment to it in thys worlde / but onely hell eternally / for he that is in it / eyther he hath hys conscience seered wych a hote iron / I meane it is brawned / and he hath no feelyng / or else he cannot be wythout a hell •n hys conscience: for he is out of the felowshyp of the Sainctes / he cannot claime to be of Christ his body / nor that his promises and mercy belong to him / if he seeke not to be receiued by repentance into the congregation of Chryste agayne / nor he may not haue that comfortable pledge of Christ hys supper in fruition with the churche / till hys repentance be accepted by that churche.
1Shutting out of the church door.Shutting out of the churche dore.
pontifical in those matters wherin they haue folowed those bokes / and but translated them out of Latin / and will they require & abide y• iudgements of the reformed churches concerning the matters?
and all Hallowes seruice whych the first treatises speake of) I w•ulde I say knowe whereon they ground that Collect? wherein they pray y• they may follow Bartholomews sermons / seeing there is neuer a sermon of hys extant / and so we shall folow we w•t not what? or y• they pray y• the church may preach as he did. when as they neyther haue his sermones / nor yet the whole church may preach / but the ministers of y• church only. Is thys praying? God forgeue vs / it is a wicked pratling. By what scripture haue they Lent seruice: A sowedensday seruice?
§30
in the rest of the scriptures. Lorde / to se• these very follies / may not thys booke be altered neyther in matter nor manner? Surely / then haue
you a mannerly sort of ministers that strain curtesie to forbeare to lie / and to forbeare superstition / when they seeme to present themselues before the Lord / which can worse like such seruice then you can to forbeare it.
